I try to review books close to release day. I try to review them right after I read them. However, that doesn’t always happen! So, here is a quick review of several books I read but haven’t reviewed! There is a little bit of everything here.
Love Hard by Nalini Singh Pages: 320
Series: Hard Play #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Narrator: Justine O. Keef
Also by this author: Angels' Blood, Archangel's Kiss, Silver Silence, Archangel's Viper, Slave to Sensation, Visions of Heat, Caressed By Ice, Mine to Possess, Hostage to Pleasure, Blaze of Memory, Bonds of Justice, Kiss of Snow, Tangle of Need, Shield of Winter, Shards of Hope, Allegiance of Honor, Ocean Light, Archangel's Prophecy , Wolf Rain, Archangel's War, Alpha Night, Archangel's Sun, Last Guard , Archangel's Light , Storm Echo, Archangel's Resurrection, Resonance Surge , Primal Mirror
Goodreads
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh brings you the next sizzling story in her Hard Play contemporary romance series…
Jacob Esera, star rugby player and young single father, has worked hard to create a joyous life for his six-year-old daughter. After the death of his childhood sweetheart soon after their daughter’s birth, all Jake wants is safety and stability. No risks. No wild chances. And especially no Juliet Nelisi, former classmate, scandal magnet, and a woman who is a thorn in his side.
As a lonely teenager, Juliet embraced her bad-girl reputation as a shield against loneliness and rejection. Years later, having kicked a cheating sports-star ex to the curb, she has a prestigious job and loyal friends—and wants nothing to do with sportsmen. The last thing she expects is the fire that ignites between her and the stuffed-shirt golden boy who once loved her best friend.
Straitlaced Jacob Esera versus wild-at-heart Juliet Nelisi? Place your bets.
Single, rugby playing dad steals the show in Love Hard. Juliet is a great heroine. I am 100% in the minority in not loving this book. I think I just prefer Singh’s paranormal stories more. Jake, Juliet, and Esme were all great, the plot was solid, and I enjoyed it. It’s not one I thought about long after finishing or would read again. The narrator is great and that is one thing common in all of Singh’s books. She snags the best narrators.
She Loves Me by Melissa Foster Pages: 380
Series: Harmony Pointe #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Setting: Harmony Pointe
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also in this series: Call Her Mine
Also by this author: Cape Cod Promises, Tru Blue, 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle 8, Bayside Passions, Driving Whiskey Wild, Embracing Her Heart , Bayside Heat, Wicked Whiskey Love, Trails of Love, Mad About Moon, Call Her Mine, Bayside Romance, Taming My Whiskey
Goodreads
What are two besties willing to risk for something more? The New York Times bestselling author of This Is Love has the answer in this fun, sexy, and emotional romance about friendship, family, and giving love a chance.
Something is off in Piper Dalton’s life, and she has a feeling it might just be her. All her siblings are blissfully settled with their forever loves. But while her sisters were dreaming of white weddings, Piper was left heartbroken and commitment phobic by her first love, her best friend’s younger brother. As a woman dominating the male-driven construction industry, Piper has no interest in turning in her hammer for an apron—even if hot and hilarious Harley thinks otherwise.
Burly bar owner Harley Dutch has a bum ankle and two preteen nieces to take care of, and having his best friend, tough-as-nails and sexy-as-sin Piper Dalton, come to his rescue is just the remedy he needs. Piper is her snarky self, and she kind of sucks at caregiving, but she’s owned his heart for years, she’s got a way with the girls, and Harley would sure like to have his way with her…
As things heat up between Piper and Harley, she warns him not to fall in love with her because she’ll only break his heart. Harley is the right man for that challenge—until he makes the biggest mistake of his life, and they begin to wonder if true love really can conquer all.
Cinnamon Roll hero, Harley, has to care for 2 teenage girls (which is enough to make anyone crazy) and his best friend Piper steps up to help. Piper is very anti-commitment. She had her heart broken and has decided that it will never happen again. To ensure it, she doesn’t let people get close. Thankfully, Harley is not shy and is willing to push Piper into seeing what a great thing they have. Harley hits high on my “reasons to love a Hero” list: devoted, loyal, determined, softy for those he loves. Piper got on my nerves quite a bit though, and that kept me from really loving this book. However, I have loved this series and really wanted to see how She Loves Me would play out.
From the Grave by Jay Brandon Pages: 240
Series: Edward Hall #2
Genres: Suspense
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Goodreads
Disbarred defence attorney Edward Hall discovers that in order to win his case he has to lose in this tense and twisting legal thriller.
You want me to represent the most hated man in Houston?
Disbarred Texas lawyer Edward Hall returns to the courtroom after accepting an offer from the District Attorney to represent the most obviously guilty defendant in town. It's a poisoned chalice. Not only is his client charged with kidnapping the DA's sister, he is already well-known for the previous kidnapping of a celebrity's son.
But if Edward handles this well, he has a chance to regain his law licence. And Edward understand that by 'handling the case well', the DA means he needs to lose. Labouring under this impossible conflict of interest, Edward prepares for the trial with the help of his resourceful girlfriend Linda. But as the trial approaches, Edward finds himself having to solve and prove a completely different case: one of cold-blooded murder.
I snagged From the Grave because I wanted more books like the Eddie Flynn books by Steve Cavanagh. I love a legal thriller/suspense. The plot was solid and it kept me interested. I think the biggest downfall for this book is that I kept comparing it to Eddie Flynn and Edward Hall didn’t come close. I think the book is solid and many readers will really get into it, however. It is an interesting moral quandary that Edward has to face, plus actually attempting to solve the crime. While I didn’t care much for the main character, I did enjoy the story.
One Dark Wish by Sharon Wray Pages: 448
Series: Deadly Force #2
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Goodreads
Her life must be forfeit for his to be redeemed
Historian Sarah Munro is not used to being shot at, but that's just what happens while she's poking around cemeteries on Georgia's Isle of Grace, searching for the key to a centuries-old cipher. Her quest has unwittingly drawn the attention of two deadly enemies intent on destroying each other--and anyone who gets in their way.
Ex-Green Beret Major Nate Walker is on a mission of his own: to restore the honor of his men. To do that, he is required to stop Sarah--or one of his own men will die. Caught in the middle of a deadly rivalry, Nate can't afford to trust the woman standing in his way. But his heart says he can't afford not to...
From the blurb, this book seemed perfect for me: bookish historian Sarah against ex Green Beret Nate! But, from nearly the 1st paragraph, I found this book weird. I don’t know how else to describe it honestly. It was just weird. It was part special ops, part ghost story. I love both those things, but this didn’t mesh well for me at all. There is a LOT happening and none of it felt connected. A reader friend told me it started to make more sense by the 60% mark, but I could tell there was no way I was going to make it that far being so confused and disconnected.
Have you read any of these? Share your thoughts!
It looks like these were all 3 heart reads which means you liked them but weren’t blown away by them. That could be why you didn’t write reviews earlier.